Islamic extremists do not favour children, says counter-terrorism expert

Counter-terrorism expert Ajay Sahni on Tuesday said that while carrying out attacks, Islamic extremists do not distinguish between children and adults, adding that incidents of terror are on the rise in Pakistan.

Sahni was reacting to the ongoing attack on Peshawar's Army Public School by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), that has reportedly led to the death of close to 100 children, with a further 40 wounded.

"The TTP and the Islamist extremists make no distinction. They do not discriminate in favour of women and children," Sahni told ANI.

Sahni also opined that acts of terror are steadily on the rise in Pakistan, adding that over 5,000 people have already lost their lives through terrorism in 2014.

"More than 5,000 people have already died in terrorist-related incidents in this year alone. In 2010 more than 11,500 people died in a single year. This is not an exceptional incident," he added.

According to reports, at least six terrorists have stormed the Peshawar school after scaling its walls. One of the militants reportedly blew himself up. Around 500 students and teachers are believed to be still inside the school.

A strong contingent of police and security forces reached the spot and blocked the area as the operation took place. The police has also reportedly surrounded the school perimeter.

Meanwhile, TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani has said that the attackers were instructed to target the older students but not the younger ones.